Eight-year-old Phoebe Kennedy-Smith from the AFRAkidz dance group in Wellington.

Taitu Lemessa from the Oromo Community of Wellington.

Sam Manzanza, President of African Communities Council Wellington Inc.

Alie Sumah from Wellington enjoys the day.

African snake charmers, traditional dance, arts and crafts and food stalls all celebrating the diversity of the African continent filled Wellington’s Shed 6 on Saturday, for the Africa Day Festival.

The focus of this year’s festival was human rights, with a special focus on the rights of women.

Organiser and president of African Communities Council Wellington Inc, Sam Manzanza, said it was the best Africa Day he had been involved in since they began four years ago.

ROBERT KITCHIN/FAIRFAX NZ

Africa Day organiser Sam Manzanza says the day was about bringing people together from all backgrounds.

“It was a day to remember.”

He estimated about 3500 people had come through.

It had been a day for unity, not just for Africans, but for all the nationalities living in New Zealand, and especially in Wellington to come together.

Several dignitaries had been at the event, including the Race Relations Commissioner, Dame Susan Devoy, the city’s deputy mayor Paul Eagle, and the South African High Commissioner, Ntombizodwa Msuthukazi Lallie.